Secure parking lots for trucks in Germany

According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), every year companies suffer heavy losses due to theft from trucks in Europe. On average, losses amount to about 6 billion euros per year. The problem is that truck parking lots are not well guarded, and there are simply not enough of them for the ever-increasing number of cars.

We at MT onroad provide technical support to truck drivers and have heard from our customers about such incidents on numerous occasions. Drivers say truck thefts occur in unsafe, unguarded areas for truck parking. The problem is serious, so we decided to cover it on our blog and at the same time-share a list of safe, proven truck parking spots in Germany.

Truck parking rules: answers to the most commonly asked questions

1.    What are the fines for improper parking of trucks?

If the truck is parked on the sidewalk or bike path, the fine is 55 euros; for parking outside the permitted times it’s 30 euros; for parking on the street or highway the fee is 70 euros.

2.    Does the law define where and how a truck can be parked in a populated  area?

Yes. It is important that drivers pay attention to the time of day and the weight of the trucks. Parking lots for trucks may be found in housing developments. Sometimes drivers are allowed to park in public parking lots, but in a residential area, a truck weighing more than 7.5 tons cannot be parked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the same rule applies to cargo trailers weighing more than 2 tons). There is also a parking ban on holidays and weekends.

3.    What are the nuances of parking in commercial areas?

Drivers can park the truck in designated commercial areas or mixed parking lots. The most important condition is not to obstruct traffic. On public roads, you can park on the right side of the road. To park a truck in a supermarket parking lot, you must obtain permission from the owner because it is private property.

4.    What are the parking requirements outside the city?

In this case the rules are stringent. Parking is allowed only in special truck parking areas, where there are enough free spaces and recreational areas. Violation of the parking ban on the highway means a fine of 70 euros and penalty points.

5.    What are the rules for cargo trailers in the parking lot?

Without a tow truck, a cargo trailer can be parked in the lot for up to two weeks. It is important that the trailer does not interfere with the traffic.

Dangerous truck parking in Europe

In 2015, when the number of emigrants increased, an increase in thefts from trucks in parking lots was noted in Europe. Thieves use a variety of methods. Sometimes drivers are left without cargo, but they can also be injured.

Truck parking lots in Europe are often located next to highways wherever the natural landscape allows. These parking lots are not fenced, and it is very easy to get to a truck. Thieves aim to drive into the truck parking lot and steal large amounts of cargo in one go.

Among all European countries, Germany is particularly attractive for car thieves because it is a transit hub and a good location for shipping high-value goods. The states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse rank first in terms of cargo thefts. Drivers' smartphones are often stolen while they sleep in parking lots, but power tools, construction materials and perfume are also stolen from trucks.

Unfortunately, security in truck parking lots in Europe is not adequate, and this is a serious problem. To help drivers on routes in Germany, we compiled a list of protected free and paid truck parking areas. Hang on to this information, it might come in handy.

The best truck parking lots in Germany (paid and free)

In total, there are more than 5,000 parking spaces in Germany where truckers can stop. The German association VEDA (Vereinigung Deutscher Autohöfe, German truck stop trade association) reports that each year more than 100,000 truckers look for a parking space on the highways, and there is still a shortage of about 30,000 spaces.

If you are looking for truck parking nearby, check out the following locations:

• TIR parking in Lübbenau/Spreewald. Closest truck parking if you are heading towards Hamburg. This is a free parking lot with 125 spaces.
• TIR parking in Neu-Isenburg. This is free parking for 65 spaces.
• Gotha at Welleben. This is a free car park for Meyer repair GmbH trucks. You can park here on weekends. Drivers rate parking 4 out of 5.
• TIR parking in Homburg. Small paid parking, only 12 places, rating - 5 out of 5.
• Autohof Himmelkron in Gleisenhof. Paid truck parking for 54 places, rating - 4 out of 5.
• Euro Rustpark Crailsheim in Neidenfels. Paid parking for 109 places, rating - 4 out of 5.
• Autohof in Kirchheim. Free parking with a lot of parking spaces - 118. Rating - 4 out of 5.
• Autohof Aurach. Closest truck parking in the vicinity of Stuttgart. This is a paid parking lot for 150 places, the rating is 4 out of 5.
• Aral Autohof Bad Hersfeld in Petersberg. Good, but to be paid for parking. The number of places is 47, but the rating is slightly lower - 3.5 out of 5.
• TIR parking in Mörfelden-Walldorf. Good paid parking for 75 places.
• TIR parking in Ilsfeld. Small free parking for 10 places, rating - 4 out of 5.

If you know good truck parking where you can stop safely, share it with others in the comments to this article. We remind you that MT onroad provides 24/7 technical support for truck drivers on the roads in Germany. To illustrate how we help drivers using an example, let us look at one of our real-life cases.

MT onroad’s case: how we helped a driver with an illegal towing of a truck

Local services can also contribute to delivery problems. For example, a truck driver contacted MT for help in solving the problem - his truck (MAN Truck & Bus AG) had been illegally cleared from a recreation area.

This happened in Karlsdorf-Neuthard, where the driver parked his truck in a special parking lot according to regulations and left it to rest there for a few days. When the driver returned 2 days later, he simply could not find his truck! The truck is lost, the load is lost - what now?

The driver called us immediately, sent photos of the scene and said that due to the language barrier it was not possible to talk to the owner of the parking lot.

We immediately helped to solve the problem, gathered all the information and found out that the truck had been towed away by the towing service at the request of the parking lot owner. What was the reason? Some companies have a parking ban on this parking lot. This driver was not subject to the ban, but his truck had recently been purchased by a company that just had such a ban (there was a label on the car to that effect, so events unfolded in accordance with that scenario). We quickly arranged for the truck to be transferred and after payment, the customer was able to pick up the truck from the towing service.

If you experience a similar situation or other problem on a roadway in Germany, please contact the team at MT onroad. We can arrange communication with various services or organize mobile repairs directly on site. Our experts are ready to work around the clock!